8798590

Mobile Device Which Deletes Duplicate Preferred Roaming List System Records for Improved Performance

PublishedAugust 5, 2014
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
23 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method for operating a mobile wireless User Equipment (UE), the method comprising: storing a preferred roaming list in a memory of the UE, wherein the preferred roaming list comprises a plurality of system records which specify radio access technologies that can be used by the UE; examining the preferred roaming list to determine if any duplicate system records exist in the preferred roaming list; deleting at least one duplicate system record from the preferred roaming list in response to determining that the at least one duplicate system record exists in the preferred roaming list; wherein said deleting the at least one duplicate system record comprises deleting a less preferred duplicate system record from the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone maintains a "preferred roaming list" (PRL) in its memory, which prioritizes radio access technologies (e.g., 4G, 5G) for connecting to cell towers. The phone periodically scans the PRL for duplicate entries. If it finds redundant records that specify the same geographic location and radio access technology, it automatically deletes the less preferred entry. This optimization avoids unnecessary scanning and improves connection speed when the phone is searching for the best network to use.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: creating, by the UE, the preferred roaming list; wherein said examining the preferred roaming list and said deleting at least one duplicate system record are performed during said creating the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone creates its own preferred roaming list (PRL). During the creation of the PRL, the phone also checks for and removes any duplicate entries. Therefore, the duplicate record removal process happens at the same time as the PRL is built by the phone, preventing redundant records from being added in the first place. The less preferred duplicate system record will be deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said examining the preferred roaming list is performed when the UE examines the preferred roaming list for radio access technology selection.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone scans its "preferred roaming list" (PRL) to find the best radio access technology when it needs to connect to a cell tower. When the phone looks through the PRL for this purpose, it also identifies and deletes any duplicate entries, which optimizes the selection process in real-time. The less preferred duplicate system record will be deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said examining determines that duplicate system records exist in the preferred roaming list if two system records present in the preferred roaming list are exact copies of each other.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone considers two entries in the "preferred roaming list" (PRL) as duplicates if they are exactly the same. That is, they must both specify the same geographic location and radio access technology. If two such identical entries exist, the phone will identify one for deletion. The less preferred duplicate system record will be deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the preferred roaming list comprises a first system record that corresponds to a first radio access technology and a second system record that also corresponds to the first radio access technology, wherein the first and second system records have different system identifications; wherein said examining determines that the first system record and the second system record are not duplicates of each other.

Plain English Translation

The phone's "preferred roaming list" (PRL) might have two records for the same radio access technology, but with different system identifications (IDs). Even if both records correspond to the same technology in the same location, the phone recognizes that they are not exact duplicates due to their different IDs, and keeps both records. The less preferred duplicate system record will be deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said deleting the at least one duplicate system record comprises deleting both a copy of the at least one duplicate system record in a random access memory and a copy of the at least one duplicate system record from a non-volatile memory of the UE device.

Plain English Translation

When the mobile phone deletes a duplicate entry from the "preferred roaming list" (PRL), it removes it from both the phone's random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory (e.g., flash storage). This ensures that the optimized PRL is used immediately and also persists after the phone restarts. The less preferred duplicate system record will be deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The UE device of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of data structures comprise a plurality of system records.

Plain English Translation

The User Equipment (UE) device of claim 6 stores the preferred roaming list (PRL) as a set of system records, each record specifying a radio access technology (RAT) usable by the UE. When the mobile phone deletes a duplicate entry from the "preferred roaming list" (PRL), it removes it from both the phone's random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory (e.g., flash storage). This ensures that the optimized PRL is used immediately and also persists after the phone restarts. The phone stores the PRL as a set of system records.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The UE device of claim 6 , wherein the UE device is a mobile, wireless telephone.

Plain English Translation

The User Equipment (UE) device of claim 6 that deletes duplicate entries from its preferred roaming list (PRL) is a mobile wireless telephone. When the mobile phone deletes a duplicate entry from the "preferred roaming list" (PRL), it removes it from both the phone's random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory (e.g., flash storage). This ensures that the optimized PRL is used immediately and also persists after the phone restarts.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: the UE device selecting a radio access technology based on the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone selects a radio access technology (e.g., 4G, 5G) based on the optimized "preferred roaming list" (PRL) after duplicate entries have been removed. The phone maintains a "preferred roaming list" (PRL) in its memory, which prioritizes radio access technologies (e.g., 4G, 5G) for connecting to cell towers. The phone periodically scans the PRL for duplicate entries. If it finds redundant records that specify the same geographic location and radio access technology, it automatically deletes the less preferred entry.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the preferred roaming list is an Equivalent Preferred Roaming List (eqPRL).

Plain English Translation

The "preferred roaming list" (PRL) that the mobile phone uses to remove duplicate entries is an Equivalent Preferred Roaming List (eqPRL). The phone maintains a "preferred roaming list" (PRL) in its memory, which prioritizes radio access technologies (e.g., 4G, 5G) for connecting to cell towers. The phone periodically scans the PRL for duplicate entries. If it finds redundant records that specify the same geographic location and radio access technology, it automatically deletes the less preferred entry.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. A user equipment (UE) device, the UE device comprising: an antenna for performing wireless communications with a base station; a memory configured to store a preferred roaming list, wherein the preferred roaming list comprises information regarding an ordering of radio access technologies to be examined for roaming in one or more geographic locations; a processor configured to examine the preferred roaming list to determine if any duplicate information exists in the preferred roaming list, and delete at least one duplicate piece of information from the preferred roaming list; wherein a less preferred duplicate piece of information is deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone includes an antenna for wireless communication, a memory to store a "preferred roaming list" (PRL), and a processor. The PRL prioritizes radio access technologies for roaming in different geographic areas. The processor scans the PRL for duplicate entries. If found, the phone automatically deletes the less preferred duplicate entry, making the connection process more efficient. The PRL prioritizes radio access technologies for roaming in one or more geographic locations.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The UE device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to create the preferred roaming list; wherein the processor is configured to examine the preferred roaming list and delete at least one duplicate piece of information during creation of the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone's processor creates the "preferred roaming list" (PRL) and, during this creation process, also identifies and removes any duplicate entries. This prevents the PRL from containing redundant entries from the beginning, making later connection attempts faster. The PRL prioritizes radio access technologies for roaming in one or more geographic locations. The less preferred duplicate piece of information is deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The UE device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to examine the preferred roaming list for radio access technology selection; wherein the processor is configured to examine the preferred roaming list for duplicate information and delete at least one duplicate piece of information when the UE examines the preferred roaming list for radio access technology selection.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone's processor scans the "preferred roaming list" (PRL) when it needs to select a radio access technology to connect to a cell tower. At the same time, the processor identifies and deletes any duplicate entries in the PRL, optimizing the selection process in real-time. The PRL prioritizes radio access technologies for roaming in one or more geographic locations. The less preferred duplicate piece of information is deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The UE device of claim 11 , wherein the UE device is configured to select a radio access technology based on the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone selects a radio access technology (e.g., 4G, 5G) based on its "preferred roaming list" (PRL) after it has been optimized by removing duplicate entries. The mobile phone includes an antenna for wireless communication, a memory to store a "preferred roaming list" (PRL), and a processor. The PRL prioritizes radio access technologies for roaming in different geographic areas. The processor scans the PRL for duplicate entries. If found, the phone automatically deletes the less preferred duplicate entry, making the connection process more efficient.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The UE device of claim 11 , wherein the UE device comprises a non-volatile memory which stores a first copy of the preferred roaming list and a random access memory which stores a second copy of the preferred roaming list; wherein the processor is configured to delete the at least one duplicate system record from both the first copy of the preferred roaming list and the second copy of the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone stores its "preferred roaming list" (PRL) in two places: non-volatile memory (like flash) and random access memory (RAM). When the processor removes a duplicate entry, it deletes it from both the flash storage copy and the RAM copy, ensuring the optimized PRL is used immediately and after restarts. The PRL prioritizes radio access technologies for roaming in one or more geographic locations. The less preferred duplicate piece of information is deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The UE device of claim 11 , wherein the UE device comprises a non-volatile memory which stores a first copy of the preferred roaming list and a random access memory which stores a second copy of the preferred roaming list; wherein the processor is configured to delete the at least one duplicate system record from only the second copy of the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone stores its "preferred roaming list" (PRL) in two places: non-volatile memory (like flash) and random access memory (RAM). When the processor removes a duplicate entry, it only deletes it from the RAM copy of the PRL, not the flash storage. The PRL prioritizes radio access technologies for roaming in one or more geographic locations. The less preferred duplicate piece of information is deleted from the preferred roaming list.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The UE device of claim 11 , wherein the preferred roaming list comprises a plurality of data structures for each respective geographic location (GEO), where each data structure corresponds to a Radio Access Technology (RAT).

Plain English Translation

The preferred roaming list (PRL) contains data structures that specify radio access technologies for each geographic location. Thus the PRL is structured by geographic location (GEO) with each entry associating the GEO with a specific Radio Access Technology (RAT). The mobile phone includes an antenna for wireless communication, a memory to store a "preferred roaming list" (PRL), and a processor. The PRL prioritizes radio access technologies for roaming in different geographic areas. The processor scans the PRL for duplicate entries.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. A non-transitory computer readable memory medium in a User Equipment (UE), wherein the UE is a mobile wireless device capable of roaming on various networks, wherein the memory medium comprises program instructions which are executable to: store a preferred roaming list in a memory of the UE, wherein the preferred roaming list comprises a plurality of system records which specify radio access technologies that can be used by the UE; examine the preferred roaming list to determine if any duplicate system records exist in the preferred roaming list; delete at least one duplicate system record from the preferred roaming list in response to determining that the at least one duplicate system record exists in the preferred roaming list; wherein the preferred roaming list comprises a first system record that corresponds to a first radio access technology and a second system record that also corresponds to the first radio access technology, wherein the first and second system records have different system identifications; wherein said examining determines that the first system record and the second system record are not duplicates of each other.

Plain English Translation

A non-transitory memory in a mobile phone contains program instructions to manage the "preferred roaming list" (PRL). These instructions cause the phone to: store the PRL, scan the PRL for duplicate entries, and delete any duplicates. The PRL contains records for radio access technologies. The instructions determine that records are NOT duplicates if they have different system IDs, even if they use the same radio access technology.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 18 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to: create the preferred roaming list; wherein the program instructions examine the preferred roaming list and delete at least one duplicate system record during creation of the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

The non-transitory memory in a mobile phone contains program instructions to create the preferred roaming list (PRL) and, during the creation process, identify and remove any duplicate entries from the PRL. The mobile phone contains program instructions to manage the "preferred roaming list" (PRL). These instructions cause the phone to: store the PRL, scan the PRL for duplicate entries, and delete any duplicates.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 18 , wherein the program instructions examine the preferred roaming list when the program instructions examine the preferred roaming list for radio access technology selection.

Plain English Translation

The non-transitory memory in a mobile phone contains program instructions to scan the preferred roaming list (PRL) to select a radio access technology to connect to a cell tower. At the same time, the program instructions identify and delete any duplicate entries. The mobile phone contains program instructions to manage the "preferred roaming list" (PRL). These instructions cause the phone to: store the PRL, scan the PRL for duplicate entries, and delete any duplicates.

Claim 21

Original Legal Text

21. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 18 , wherein, when deleting at least one duplicate system record, the program instructions delete a less preferred duplicate system record from the preferred roaming list.

Plain English Translation

When deleting duplicate entries from the preferred roaming list (PRL), the program instructions delete the less preferred entry. The mobile phone contains program instructions to manage the "preferred roaming list" (PRL). These instructions cause the phone to: store the PRL, scan the PRL for duplicate entries, and delete any duplicates.

Claim 22

Original Legal Text

22. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 18 , wherein the program instructions determine that duplicate system records exist in the preferred roaming list if two system records present in the preferred roaming list are exact copies of each other.

Plain English Translation

The program instructions consider two entries in the preferred roaming list (PRL) as duplicates only if they are exact copies of each other. The mobile phone contains program instructions to manage the "preferred roaming list" (PRL). These instructions cause the phone to: store the PRL, scan the PRL for duplicate entries, and delete any duplicates.

Claim 23

Original Legal Text

23. A handheld wireless telephone device, the telephone device comprising: a housing; an antenna attached to the housing for performing wireless communications with a base station; a memory contained within the housing and configured to store a preferred roaming list, wherein the preferred roaming list comprises information regarding an ordering of radio access technologies to be examined for roaming in one or more geographic locations; a processor contained within the housing and configured to examine the preferred roaming list to determine if any duplicate information exists in the preferred roaming list, and delete at least one duplicate piece of information from the preferred roaming list; wherein the preferred roaming list comprises a first system record that corresponds to a first radio access technology and a second system record that also corresponds to the first radio access technology, wherein the first and second system records have different system identifications; wherein said examining determines that the first system record and the second system record are not duplicates of each other.

Plain English Translation

A handheld wireless telephone has a housing, antenna, memory, and a processor that scans the "preferred roaming list" (PRL) for duplicate entries, deleting them to optimize connections. Even if both records correspond to the same technology in the same location, the phone recognizes that they are not exact duplicates due to their different IDs, and keeps both records. The phone maintains a "preferred roaming list" (PRL) in its memory, which prioritizes radio access technologies (e.g., 4G, 5G) for connecting to cell towers.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

August 5, 2014

Inventors

Prashant H. Vashi
Vikram B. Yerrabommanahalli
Karthik Anantharaman

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Cite as: Patentable. “MOBILE DEVICE WHICH DELETES DUPLICATE PREFERRED ROAMING LIST SYSTEM RECORDS FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE” (8798590). https://patentable.app/patents/8798590

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MOBILE DEVICE WHICH DELETES DUPLICATE PREFERRED ROAMING LIST SYSTEM RECORDS FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE